City business leaders seek legal challenge against extension of parking charge hours across Liverpool
A group of city business leaders have announced preparations for legal action against Liverpool City Council over a recent increase in parking charges and extension of charging hours across the city.
ICO reports 40% surge in FOI complaints
The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has revealed that Freedom of Information (FOI) complaints increased by more than 40% in 2025/26, while a rise in data protection complaints also put pressure on its services.
Government consults on reforming “needlessly restrictive” weddings law
The Ministry of Justice has this month published a consultation on reforming weddings law in England and Wales.
Councils must weave sustainability reporting into governance processes, CIPFA says
Sustainability reporting will only achieve its intended purpose if public authorities can successfully integrate sustainability information into governance, budgeting, and financial planning processes, CIPFA has warned.
Council to review Code of Conduct after backing AI abuse motion
Stockton Council has backed a motion condemning the use of AI-generated imagery and other digitally manipulated content to abuse or misrepresent those involved in public life.
Don't lumber councils with administration of ‘High Value Property Surcharge’, says LGA
The Local Government Association (LGA) has called on the Government to consider national administration of the ‘High Value Property Surcharge’ instead of using councils, warning that enforcement could be expensive and complex, among other issues.
Leader cleared in Pride Flag row complaint brought by chief executive
Warwickshire County Council’s leader has been cleared of a Code of Conduct breach regarding a public row he had with the local authority’s chief executive over the flying of the Pride Flag from the council’s offices.
Chief Planning Officer warns councils to act ahead of 31 October deadline for planning committee changes
The Chief Planning Officer has urged local authorities to take action – including by amending their constitutions – to comply with the new regulations on the national scheme of delegation and the size of planning committees before they come into force on 31 October 2026.
Traffic Regulation Order should stand despite council failure to consider objections of claimant, High Court rules
The High Court has refused to quash a traffic regulation order (TRO) introduced by North Somerset Council, despite finding a failure by the council to consider two objections filed by the claimant.
Wigan monitoring officer leaves after 30 years at council
Janet Davies has left her role as monitoring officer at Wigan Council after three decades at the local authority.
Assessing needs “significant area of weakness” in some local authority areas: CQC
Assessing needs is a “significant area of weakness” in some local authority areas, with delays in care assessments and reviews affecting both people using services and their unpaid carers, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) has warned.
High Court rejects challenge to adoption of West Suffolk local plan
The High Court has dismissed a judicial review challenge aimed at quashing all or part of West Suffolk Council's Local Plan.
Court of Appeal to hear second legal challenge over Wimbledon grounds expansion
The Court of Appeal has agreed to hear a local group's second legal challenge over plans to expand the Wimbledon tennis grounds, in a case that argues the land is subject to a statutory trust.
Protocol issued for legal professionals to raise concerns informally about coroner behaviour
The Chief Coroner has issued a protocol for legal professionals wishing to raise concerns informally about coroner behaviour.
High Court rejects challenge by council to decision by MHCLG to claw back £2.1m in EU funding
Cornwall Council faces a bill for more than £2m after losing on all eight grounds argued against the Government in a judicial review concerning European regional funds.
City council loses appeal over mortgagee exclusion clauses and section 106 agreements
Westminster City Council has lost a Court of Appeal case in which it sought to overturn a High Court ruling that it could not enforce a s106 agreement requiring 16 flats to remain as affordable housing after they were sold privately.
Police investigate housing association over possible corporate manslaughter
The Metropolitan Police are investigating Islington and Shoreditch Housing Association (ISHA) over a possible case of corporate manslaughter after a resident fell to his death when balcony railings gave way.
Claimant eyes application to Court of Appeal in dispute with council over lettings scheme
A resident who lost a High Court case this month over the London Borough of Southwark’s choice-based lettings scheme intends to take the dispute to the Court of Appeal.
City council fails in appeal over declaration it breached obligations owed under main housing duty
Birmingham City Council has lost on all grounds it put to the Court of Appeal in a housing allocation case.
Mayor of London revises affordable housing quota decision following legal challenge
The Mayor of London has decided to restore affordable housing quotas to 35% for around a third of London boroughs, in what some councils behind a judicial review have described as a “concession” in response to their legal action.
Government hit with fresh legal challenge over reorganisation in Essex
Harlow Council has become the latest local authority to launch a legal challenge against local government reorganisation, after describing the Government's decision in Essex as deeply flawed, rushed and lacking proper evidence.
Supreme Court dismisses appeal over how homelessness duty comes to an end
The Supreme Court has rejected a resident’s appeal over whether the housing duty owed by a London borough ended after she rejected a valid offer of accommodation.
CQC and Ofsted to coordinate activity to avoid placing “unnecessary pressure” on councils during reorganisation
Inspections, assessments and other related activity by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) during local government reorganisation (LGR) should be “proportionate”, the Government has said.
Planning minister intervenes in Basildon local plan
The Planning Minister has directed Basildon Borough Council to advance its local plan after stating that delays have put adopting a local plan under the current plan-making system in "serious jeopardy".
Referral made to information watchdog after sensitive files found in unoccupied council building
The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has said it is aware of reports that an 'urban explorer' discovered sensitive council documents left in an unoccupied building.
Council worker who unlawfully accessed hundreds of personal records handed suspended sentence
A Herefordshire council worker who unlawfully accessed hundreds of personal records has been handed a suspended sentence, following an investigation by the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).
Judge lifts automatic suspension barring HMCTS from awarding cyber security service contract
The High Court has lifted an automatic suspension preventing HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) from awarding a contract for the provision of a managed cyber security service.
Welsh housing association to procure £828k legal services contract
Hafod Housing Association, one of the leading social landlords in South Wales, is to procure the provision of legal services to support housing, assets and support needs.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government loses devolution role to No 10 North
Responsibility for devolution and local economic growth is to be transferred from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to Andy Burnham's new No 10 North office.
Burnham Government must implement strengthened standards regime: Solace
Andy Burnham’s new administration must introduce a “fit-for-purpose” local government standards regime, “broaden” fiscal devolution and set out realistic timescales for local government reorganisation, Solace has said.
Ethics advisor to Kensington & Chelsea among four new independent members of standards watchdog
The Ethics & Integrity Commission has welcomed four new independent Members to the Commission, following their appointment by the Prime Minister.
Cheshire East appoints Mike Jones as Monitoring Officer
Mike Jones has been appointed as Director of Law and Governance (Monitoring Officer) at Cheshire East Council.
Angela Rayner returns as Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government
Angela Rayner has reclaimed her role as Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, following the departure of Steve Reed.
Government Commercial Agency names suppliers to £600m legal services framework for all public sector
The Government Commercial Agency has named more than 80 law firms and costs lawyers to a framework for the provision of legal services for all the public sector.
Continuing competence format proposed by SRA “overly restrictive and impractical”: Law Society
The Law Society has warned that the SRA’s suggested format for a strengthened approach to continuing competence and professional ethics is “overly restrictive and impractical”.
New Local Government Secretary set to be announced as Reed confirms departure
Steve Reed has announced his departure as Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government.
Failure to serve child’s permanence reports was serious procedural irregularity, but had no impact on outcome: Court of Appeal
The Court of Appeal has rejected linked appeals raising a procedural point about the use of child’s permanence reports in adoption proceedings.
High Court rejects legal challenge against London borough over nursery closure
The High Court has rejected a legal challenge against Islington Council's decision to close a nursery after a charity provider surrendered its contract to run the venue due to financial difficulties.
Minister urges planning inspectors to adopt pragmatic approach in respect of deliverability and viability when examining local plans
The Minister of State for Housing and Planning, Matthew Pennycook, has written to the Planning Inspectorate to set out the expectation that, “where a robust evidence base exists and there is a reasonable basis for concluding that allocations are capable of delivery over the plan period as a whole”,…
London borough to vote on motion to refuse assistance with immigration raids
Lewisham Council is set to vote on a motion to block the council from assisting the Home Office or Immigration Enforcement in carrying out immigration raids.
Lack of consultation sees Court of Appeal quash decision by council to close adult education centre
The Court of Appeal has allowed an appeal over the dismissal of a judicial review claim concerning a London borough’s decision to close an adult education centre.
Government consults on extending judicial review reforms to major housing, transport and energy developments
The Government has launched a consultation on extending recent judicial review reforms beyond Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) to major housing, transport and energy developments.
Court of Appeal criticises “unwise” decision of judge to give ex tempore judgment in care proceedings
The Court of Appeal has allowed an appeal by a mother and father against findings of fact made by a judge in care proceedings concerning their two children, criticising the way in which the judgment was prepared and delivered.
Blake Morgan advises borough council on major leisure procurement
Blake Morgan has advised Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council on a major procurement programme to secure a long-term partner for the delivery of leisure services across the borough, including the replacement of its Aquadrome through a Design Build Operate Maintain (DBOM) contract model.
Home Again pilot programme to provide children at risk of deprivation of liberty with single, co-ordinated plan
Regional teams of social workers, mental health and youth justice staff will carry out assessments and plan support for children experiencing, or at risk of, deprivation of liberty under the government’s ‘Home Again’ programme.
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Events
Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/E) - The Training Centre 
AGNI Webinar 2 - European case law and local post-AGNI experience - College Chambers
27-07-2026 5:00 pm
Online (live)
High Court Issues First Comprehensive Ruling on Statutory Survey Powers Under the Housing and Planning Act 2016 - FTB
28-07-2026
Online (live)
Data Controller, Processor or Joint Controller: What am I? - Act Now
31-07-2026 10:00 am
Online (live)
CCTV, Drones and Body Worn Cameras: Ensuring Data Protection Compliance - Act Now
05-08-2026 10:00 am
Online (live)
HMPL Building Blocks: Breach of Lease - Devonshires
Understanding GDPR Accountability and Conducting Data Protection Audits - Act Now
17-08-2026 10:00 am
Online (live)
AI and Information Governance: Bridging Innovation and Compliance - Act Now
20-08-2026 10:00 am
Online (live)
How to Handle a Subject Access Request - Act Now 